Adams (Ilocos Norte) execs teach IPs environmental protection

Silsilungan Falls in Adams

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

Adams, Ilocos Norte—At a time when traditional hunting and gathering has been embedded as a cultural practice transferred from generation to generations, up to what extent indigenous peoples here should be able to let go of tradition and turn to the need of the time—the protection of the environment.

“As a member of the indigenous peoples (IPs), we are trying to encourage our people to refrain from hunting and gathering because it is now prohibited by law,” said the Brgy. Chairperson and Adams Liga ng mga Barangay President Maelyn Daquioag-Guinayen. Adams is composed of just one barangay.

Nestled deep in the mountains and surrounded by forests, crystal clear rivers and waterfalls in the northern part of Ilocos Norte, Adams is gaining popularity among nature lovers and has attracted foreign, domestic and local tourists to visit and experience extreme adventure.

Opening its windows to eco-tourism development with the ongoing construction of access roads supported by the Department of Tourism, Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, has likewise put this hidden paradise vulnerable to environment abuse if not properly managed.

“This is why we continue to educate our constituents and help each other to protect our environment,” said Guinayen in response to a recent controversy sparked by netizens outrage over a local hunter of Adams, when he proudly showed a carcass of a juvenile hornbill killed with his air gun. Tourists with camera took a snapshot of him and later on posted it in Facebook, generating more than 93,000 views and with negative comments from wildlife conservationists.

Guinayen said that the hunting of wild birds and animals has already been a part of the culture of the IPs as they are largely dependent on harvest from the forest.

“Our forefathers had been used to it and this has been a source of our livelihood. Though it’s hard, we are doing our best to educate our constituents for our own good,” she stressed.

Wild birds like the endangered hornbill play a crucial role in ecological balance.

Even the local police here admitted that they are having a hard time implementing environment laws as official complaints have yet to be filed against violators.

To prevent further degradation to the environment, assigned sectoral councilors here have been going on a house-to-house drive to conduct information and education drive for sustainable development.

“We hope our fellow IPs will have an open mind to accept reality,” Guinayen said citing the traditional practice of slash-and-burn farming is still being practiced here.

To date, the Philippine Coconut Authority continue to engage the IP community here to support their livelihood program such as the establishment of fruit plantations such as coconut, rambutan, lansones, coffee and cacao among others.

The local government unit here in cooperation with other government agencies also provide alternative livelihood for the IPs such as training them as tour guides and engaging them in various skills training and food processing.